OSCE observers held in Ukraine released

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• OSCE observers held in Ukraine released
• Mickelson fires sizzling 63 to grab early PGA lead
• Hall of Famers believe gay player will be accepted
• Bruins rally to beat Canadiens 5-3 in Game 2
• Stars line red carpet for Kentucky Derby
• Duncan, Spurs focused on beating Mavs in Game 7
• Berkshire housing executive laments dearth of first-time buyers
• Brian Scott leads RCR to win pole at Talladega
• Crowd gathering for British princes in Memphis
• Dozens killed in Ukraine fighting and fire; OSCE monitors freed
• Buffett defends Coke, BNSF at Berkshire annual meeting
• Brooks CEO says his shoes fit Buffett better
• Man City go top, Fulham and Cardiff go down
• SAC's Steinberg asks for two-year sentence
• Mariners activate Iwakuma after finger injury
• Three dead, several injured as Mombasa hit by twin attacks
• Mortar fire kills at least 13 in government-held Syria
• Indiana hospital caring for MERS patient still bustling
• Senator urges Hillary Clinton to seek presidency
• It is a 1st round to savor in the NBA and NHL
• Dad of dead boy, 5, apologizes for not saving him
• Israel's race to succeed President Peres heats up
• Obama prepares for annual correspondents' dinner
• Kenya gov't: 3 killed in 2 blasts at Kenyan coast
• EU calls for independent probe of Odessa deaths
• Biden: Immigration crucial to American innovation
• Barcelona title hopes in tatters after Getafe draw
• Slovenia PM resigns, seeks new elections
• Rescuers struggle to help Afghans hit by landslide
• NYC subway rail that snapped in derailment was new
• Belfast police seek evidence of Adams' IRA past
• Wicked Strong fans give Churchill a Fenway feel
• Al-Jazeera reporter held in Egypt appeals to judge
• Syria activists say evacuations from Homs delayed
• White House reporters to honor black journalist
• Afghan landslide rescue focuses on displaced
• 5 cautionary signs in April's US jobs report
• GM CEO tells students to quickly fix problems
• Condoleezza Rice backs out of Rutgers commencement
• Barca title hopes in tatters after Getafe draw

OSCE observers held in Ukraine released Posted: 03 May 2014 01:23 PM PDT MOSCOW (AP) — European military observers who were held more than a week by insurgents in eastern Ukraine walked free Saturday, with Kiev insisting the release proves Russia is fomenting unrest in Ukraine — as Moscow touted the insurgents as courageous humanists.

Mickelson fires sizzling 63 to grab early PGA lead Posted: 03 May 2014 12:53 PM PDT Reigning British Open champion Phil Mickelson fired a nine-under par 63 to seize the overall lead during Saturday's third round of the $6.9 million US PGA Wells Fargo Championship. Five-time major champion Mickelson, who fired a 75 on Friday, was only one shot off the course record at Quail Hollow to stand on 11-under 205 after 54 holes. "This was a really good day from start to finish," Mickelson said. Germany's Martin Kaymer and Americans J.B. Holmes and Martin Flores were all on the course sharing second at 10-under for the tournament.

Hall of Famers believe gay player will be accepted Posted: 03 May 2014 12:44 PM PDT CLEVELAND (AP) — Michael Sam's lifestyle will soon become secondary to his skills.

Bruins rally to beat Canadiens 5-3 in Game 2 Posted: 03 May 2014 12:43 PM PDT BOSTON (AP) — Reilly Smith scored the go-ahead goal with 3:32 left, and the Boston Bruins rallied from two down in the third period to beat the Montreal Canadiens 5-3 on Saturday and tie the Eastern Conference semifinals at one game apiece.

Stars line red carpet for Kentucky Derby Posted: 03 May 2014 12:43 PM PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Former figure skater Johnny Weir's feathery white hat rose high above his head as he walked the red carpet at Churchill Downs, bringing his flair for fashion to the Kentucky Derby.

Duncan, Spurs focused on beating Mavs in Game 7 Posted: 03 May 2014 12:42 PM PDT Tim Duncan doesn't care about 62-win San Antonio pushed to a Game 7 by the upstart Dallas Mavericks in a first-round series that looks a lot like the other time these Texas rivals played a full set.

Berkshire housing executive laments dearth of first-time buyers Posted: 03 May 2014 12:36 PM PDT By Jonathan Stempel OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - The chief executive of a real estate brokerage business owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc said the U.S. housing market is more than halfway through its recovery from its recent depths, held back by a paucity of buyers able to obtain financing for their first homes. Ron Peltier, chief executive of HomeServices of America Inc, said "our industry is probably in the sixth inning of a nine-inning recovery," with very strong activity in coastal markets such as Miami, Boston, New York and Silicon Valley, and in the market for higher-end homes across the country. It's troubling." Peltier spoke in an interview on the sidelines of Berkshire's annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska.

Brian Scott leads RCR to win pole at Talladega Posted: 03 May 2014 12:35 PM PDT TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) — A group decision for all of the cars powered by Earnhardt Childress engines to work together at Talladega Superspeedway proved the correct call in NASCAR's new knockout qualifying format.

Crowd gathering for British princes in Memphis Posted: 03 May 2014 12:29 PM PDT MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Fans have started to gather near the Memphis Country Club on Saturday hoping to spot British Princes William and Harry as they attend the wedding of a friend in Tennessee.

Dozens killed in Ukraine fighting and fire; OSCE monitors freed Posted: 03 May 2014 12:26 PM PDT By Miran Jelenek and Maria Tsvetkova ODESSA/SLAVIANSK, Ukraine (Reuters) - At least 42 people were killed in a street battle between supporters and opponents of Russia in southern Ukraine that ended with dozens of pro-Russian protesters incinerated in a burning building, bringing the country closer to war. Pro-Russian rebels in the east freed seven European military observers on Saturday after holding them hostage for eight days, while Kiev pressed on with its biggest military operation so far to reclaim rebel-held territory in the area. The riot in the Black Sea port of Odessa, ending in a deadly blaze in a besieged trade union building, was by far the worst incident in Ukraine since a February uprising that ended with a pro-Russian president fleeing the country. A couple of hundred pro-Russian protesters in the eastern city of Donetsk stormed the governor's business premises and the state security headquarters, ransacking files and smashing windows.

Buffett defends Coke, BNSF at Berkshire annual meeting Posted: 03 May 2014 12:17 PM PDT By Luciana Lopez OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Saturday defended his recent controversial vote on executive pay at Coca-Cola Co and disappointing performance at railroad BNSF as investors grilled him on his Berkshire Hathaway Inc conglomerate at its annual shareholder meeting. The investment guru was peppered with questions at the meeting, part of a mostly festive weekend that Buffett calls "Woodstock for Capitalists," following concerns that Berkshire last year missed Buffett's five-year growth target for the first time in his 49 years at the helm. Buffett, 83, and his partner and company Vice Chairman Charlie Munger, 90, faced off with the audience and a hand-picked panel often excusing recent worries at the sprawling conglomerate. "Over any cycle we will over-perform, but there's no guarantee on that," he said, saying that Berkshire is designed to perform best when markets are at their worst - unlike last year's 30 percent jump in the S&P 500.

Brooks CEO says his shoes fit Buffett better Posted: 03 May 2014 12:17 PM PDT (The story officially corrects 10th paragraph to reflect Brooks saying it is now based in Seattle.) By Jonathan Stempel OMAHA, Nebraska (Reuters) - Warren Buffett once called his 1993 purchase of Dexter Shoe Inc "the worst deal that I've made," but owning athletic shoe maker Brooks Sports Inc, which this year celebrates its 100th anniversary, may make him feel like less of a heel. Brooks became part of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc in 2006 when its parent, the sporting goods maker Russell, was sold to Berkshire's Fruit of the Loom unit. Berkshire spun out Brooks as a separate business unit in 2012. While Brooks is a small piece of Buffett's empire, accounting for barely one-quarter of 1 percent of Berkshire's revenue, Jim Weber, its chief executive since 2001, said it's the kind of business Buffett likes: focused, easy to follow, and following a long-term strategy.

Man City go top, Fulham and Cardiff go down Posted: 03 May 2014 12:13 PM PDT Manchester City claimed top spot in the Premier League and took a significant step towards the title by coming from behind to edge Everton 3-2 on Saturday. Ross Barkley's stunner put hosts Everton ahead in the 11th minute, but Sergio Aguero quickly equalised and a brace from Edin Dzeko secured victory for Manuel Pellegrini's side despite Romelu Lukaku reducing the arrears. City now lead previous leaders Liverpool on goal difference -- +59 to +50 -- and will therefore be practically assured of winning the title if they win their two remaining games.

SAC's Steinberg asks for two-year sentence Posted: 03 May 2014 12:08 PM PDT By Casey Sullivan and Nate Raymond NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Steinberg, a portfolio manager at Steven A. Cohen's SAC Capital Advisors who was found guilty last year on insider trading charges, has asked for a two-year sentence, far shorter than the term recommended by probation officials. In a 65-page sentencing memo, Steinberg's lawyer Barry Berke referred to his "character and broader life accomplishments" in arguing that his sentence should be only two years in prison. A report by the court's probation department recommended that Steinberg be sentenced to a prison term of 4-1/4 to 5-1/4 years for his December conviction on one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and four counts of securities fraud. "Mr. Steinberg is a man of many admirable individual characteristics — but more than that, he is a giver and a doer, someone whose contributions to the happiness, success and well-being of his family, friends, and many others are second to none," Berke wrote to U.S. District Judge Richard Sullivan.

Mariners activate Iwakuma after finger injury Posted: 03 May 2014 12:04 PM PDT Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma was activated by the Seattle Mariners from Major League Baseball's disabled list on Saturday to start on the mound against the Houston Astros. The 33-year-old right-hander, who finished third in last year's American League Cy Young Award voting, began the season in March on the injury list with a torn extensor tendon in his right middle finger. Iwakuma, who did not appear in a pre-season training game, went 14-6 with a 2.66 earned-run average over 33 starts last season. Iwakuma spent five seasons with Japan's Kintetsu Buffaloes and six more with the Rakuten Eagles before leaving his homeland after the 2011 season to join the Mariners.

Three dead, several injured as Mombasa hit by twin attacks Posted: 03 May 2014 12:00 PM PDT Mombasa (Kenya) (AFP) - At least three people were killed and several others injured Saturday as Kenya's port city of Mombasa was hit by new militant attacks, officials said. One blast occurred in the busy Mwembe Tayari area of the city centre, and the other close to a well-known beach hotel, the Reef Hotel, in the Nyali area of the city. The ministry also said an improvised explosive device, or IED, went off at the gate of the Reef Hotel, although no casualties were reported. Muslim-majority Mombasa, one of the main gateways to east Africa and a popular tourist destination, has been hit by sporadic unrest in recent months.

Mortar fire kills at least 13 in government-held Syria Posted: 03 May 2014 11:55 AM PDT By Alexander Dziadosz BEIRUT (Reuters) - At least 13 people were killed by mortar fire in government-held areas of Syria on Saturday, including central Damascus, a monitoring group and state media said, just days after President Bashar al-Assad said he would seek another term in office. The attacks occurred as activists said rebel fighters had delayed their planned withdrawal from the Old City district of Homs, once called the "capital of the revolution", although a ceasefire with government forces continued there. Damascus residents say the overwhelmingly Sunni Muslim insurgents have stepped up mortar attacks into the government-held capital in recent weeks as government forces have tightened their grip over central parts of the country. Syria's state news agency SANA blamed "terrorists" for the mortar attack in Damascus, saying it killed four people including a 16-year-old girl when it struck a minibus in the al-Dwel'a area of the capital.

Indiana hospital caring for MERS patient still bustling Posted: 03 May 2014 11:54 AM PDT By Karl Plume MUNSTER, Indiana (Reuters) - Along a stretch of rust-belt suburbia in Indiana, the Community Hospital in Munster now claims the dubious distinction of being the first U.S. facility to admit a patient with the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). The patient, a male healthcare worker, had traveled to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and began exhibiting symptoms upon his return to the United States, they said. Separately, Saudi officials on Saturday said the rate of infections was on the rise in the country, where MERS was first discovered in 2012. At Community Hospital, however, the news did not seem to create panic among Munster residents soon after it was broadcast on local news outlets.

Senator urges Hillary Clinton to seek presidency Posted: 03 May 2014 11:47 AM PDT Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia on Saturday endorsed Hillary Clinton for president, even though the former secretary of state has not announced whether she will seek the White House in 2016. Kaine, who backed Barack Obama when he beat Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, announced his support on Twitter and at breakfast meeting of the South Carolina Women's Democratic Council in Columbia, South Carolina. "Today I encouraged Hillary Clinton to run for president & pledged my support for her candidacy if she does," Kaine said in a tweet that linked to his remarks on www.readyforhillary.com, website of one of the most prominent pro-Clinton organizations.

It is a 1st round to savor in the NBA and NHL Posted: 03 May 2014 11:47 AM PDT MIAMI (AP) — There have never been more than five Game 7s in the entirety of an NBA postseason.

Dad of dead boy, 5, apologizes for not saving him Posted: 03 May 2014 11:29 AM PDT FITCHBURG, Mass. (AP) — The father of a 5-year-old boy who was missing for months before his body was found by the side of a highway apologized at his funeral Saturday, saying he wished he could have saved his son.

Israel's race to succeed President Peres heats up Posted: 03 May 2014 11:24 AM PDT TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Among those vying to become Israel's next president are a former defense minister, a former foreign minister, a former finance minister, a respected long-serving lawmaker and a Nobel Prize winner. Amazingly, the man they all seek to replace has held all of those titles and more during a legendary 65-year political career.

Obama prepares for annual correspondents' dinner Posted: 03 May 2014 11:23 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama was set to join journalists, government officials, politicians and media personalities Saturday night at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner for an evening of humor and celebrity gazing that has become an annual tradition in the nation's capital.

Kenya gov't: 3 killed in 2 blasts at Kenyan coast Posted: 03 May 2014 01:07 PM PDT NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — At least three people were killed in a grenade blast in one of two explosions Saturday along the coast of Kenya, an east African country working to crack down on a recent wave of terrorist attacks.

EU calls for independent probe of Odessa deaths Posted: 03 May 2014 11:12 AM PDT The European Union called on Saturday for an independent investigation into the deaths of at least 42 people in southern Ukraine after a riot ended with dozens of pro-Russian protesters killed in a burning building. The street battle between supporters and opponents of Russia in the Black Sea port of Odessa that ended in the deadly blaze in a besieged trade union building was by far the worst incident in Ukraine since a February uprising that ended with a pro-Russian president fleeing the country. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said the EU was "deeply saddened by the many deaths and injured in yesterday's events in Odessa". "The facts which led to this tragic loss of so many human lives must now be established in an independent investigation and those responsible for these criminal acts brought to justice," she said in a statement.

Biden: Immigration crucial to American innovation Posted: 03 May 2014 01:04 PM PDT MIAMI (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden extoled immigration as crucial to American innovation Saturday at a college graduation ceremony in South Florida.

Barcelona title hopes in tatters after Getafe draw Posted: 03 May 2014 10:52 AM PDT Barcelona's slim hopes of retaining their La Liga title were all but ended after they were held 2-2 at home by struggling Getafe on Saturday. The Catalans now trail leaders Atletico Madrid by three points with just two games remaining and having played a game more, whilst Real Madrid are just three points further back but with two games in hand over Barca. Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a fine finish, but Barca were pegged pack when Angel Lafita levelled just before half-time. The Spanish champions improved going forward after the break and deservedly went back in front when Alexis Sanchez drilled the ball home 23 minutes from time, but they were stunned in injury time as Lafita rose to head home Jaime Gavilan's cross to secure a vital point for Getafe.

Slovenia PM resigns, seeks new elections Posted: 03 May 2014 10:41 AM PDT LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia's prime minister announced her resignation Saturday and pressed lawmakers to call early parliamentary elections next month.

Rescuers struggle to help Afghans hit by landslide Posted: 03 May 2014 10:35 AM PDT ABI BARIK, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghan rescuers and volunteers armed with shovels and little more than their bare hands dug through the mud Saturday after a massive landslide swept through a village the day before, turning it into an earthen tomb holding hundreds of bodies, officials said.

NYC subway rail that snapped in derailment was new Posted: 03 May 2014 10:22 AM PDT NEW YORK (AP) — The subway rail that snapped and caused a train to derail, injuring 19 passengers and stranding hundreds underground, was installed just weeks before the accident, the Metropolitan Transit Authority said Saturday.

Belfast police seek evidence of Adams' IRA past Posted: 03 May 2014 11:13 AM PDT BELFAST, Northern Ireland (AP) — Northern Ireland police are casting a wider net in their efforts to prove that Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams once commanded the outlawed Irish Republican Army and ordered the 1972 killing of a Belfast mother of 10, according to party colleagues and retired militants.

Wicked Strong fans give Churchill a Fenway feel Posted: 03 May 2014 01:02 PM PDT LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The last time a horse meant this much for Boston, the jockey was Paul Revere.

Al-Jazeera reporter held in Egypt appeals to judge Posted: 03 May 2014 10:06 AM PDT CAIRO (AP) — One of the Al-Jazeera English journalists held in Egypt made a rare appeal Saturday outside of the defendants' cage, as the judge trying him and his colleagues wished them a "happy" World Press Freedom Day before ordering them back to jail.

Syria activists say evacuations from Homs delayed Posted: 03 May 2014 09:58 AM PDT BEIRUT (AP) — The planned evacuation of fighters from rebel-held parts of the Syrian city of Homs was delayed Saturday, activists said, though a cease-fire still was holding in the country's third-largest city.

White House reporters to honor black journalist Posted: 03 May 2014 09:57 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Harry McAlpin was standing outside the Oval Office, moments away from becoming the first black reporter to attend a presidential news conference, when one of his contemporaries approached with a deal.

Afghan landslide rescue focuses on displaced Posted: 03 May 2014 09:54 AM PDT By Mirwais Harooni and Jeremy Laurence KABUL (Reuters) - Afghan officials gave up hope on Saturday of finding any survivors from a landslide in the remote northeast, with the number killed or missing put at between a few hundred and as many as 2,700. The United Nations said the focus now was on helping more than 4,000 displaced people. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan said more than 350 people were killed, but a spokesman for the local governor put the number in excess of 2,100. The Geneva-based International Organization for Migration (IOM) said 2,700 were dead or missing.

5 cautionary signs in April's US jobs report Posted: 03 May 2014 09:46 AM PDT WASHINGTON (AP) — Employers added a sizable 288,000 jobs in April.

GM CEO tells students to quickly fix problems Posted: 03 May 2014 09:41 AM PDT ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Work hard, be honest and address problems quickly so they don't grow.

Condoleezza Rice backs out of Rutgers commencement Posted: 03 May 2014 09:41 AM PDT NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. (AP) — Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has backed out of delivering the commencement address at Rutgers University following protests by some faculty and students over her role in the Iraq War.

Barca title hopes in tatters after Getafe draw Posted: 03 May 2014 09:39 AM PDT Barcelona's slim hopes of retaining their La Liga title were all but ended after they were held 2-2 at home by struggling Getafe on Saturday. The Catalans now trail leaders Atletico Madrid by three points with just two games remaining and having played a game more, whilst Real Madrid are just three points further back but with two games in hand over Barca. Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a fine finish, but Barca were pegged pack when Angel Lafita levelled just before half-time. The Spanish champions improved going forward after the break and deservedly went back in front when Alexis Sanchez drilled the ball home 23 minutes from time, but they were stunned in injury time as Lafita rose to head home Jaime Gavilan's cross to secure a vital point for Getafe.

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